Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-02-17
AN Attempt no KILL PATTI.
EAc,tilsg Exp'ostoR as a San Frsn-
cscO Concert.

EActttkhg ENptOHtOn AA n NAN FRAN
cscO CohcerL
| SAN FRANcIsoo, Feb. l0.-A dynamite |
| and sensational episode ucc rred at the |
Grand Opera House last night Adelina |
Patti was giving her last concert of the |
season, which was announced also as her
last appearance in this city. The Incl
dent will tend TO make PATHS farewell
| memorable.
At 10, 20 O'Clock, after Patti had twice
appeared in front of the curtain In re-
Spouse to recalls at the conclusion of an
aria from la Trayiata," and just as
she had again retired to the wings, q
tremendous explosion was clearly heard
above the vociferous applause and
cloud of smoke was seen to rise over the
railing of the top gallery. Instantly
every lorgnette in the house was focused
on the portion Of the house where the ex
! citing scene was transpiring and
. q panic was imminent. People in
the gallery were rushing about,
q seeking the quickest means of exit.
, and it was only through the self
f possession of the newspaper men present
D in the boxes, coupled with that of the
diva that stampede of the entire an
!, dience for the doors was prevented
Newspaper men were in the stage-box,
and quickly perceived that no serious
a result had occurred and that the danger
was over. They communicated by mods
and motions with Mime Patti who was
? still in the flies to come before tue
y curtain. She co'nprehended the situation
y and came forward quickly aud giving
y the cue to Arditi began singing, "Homt
Sweet Home" This had a calming effect
ID on the audience and though many left
/ ! sk.. nd
" of the unexpected punctuation TO tut
~ performance, the concert was carried OF
90 to its conclusion.
As soon as the location of the trouble
no could be learned policeman rushed 4
lis the scene and found q man with badll
- burned face and hands moaning will
ret agony and the remains of an inferno
AZ, machine about him. He was placet
under arrest and conveyed to Irving Hos
a pital, where he stated that when b
~ stopped to pick up his hat and cane b
20 found package under his seat which h
~, picked up, and that as he raised 1t to Sc
~ what it was it exploded Though he wa
r. badly burned about the face end hands
il ia believed he received no serious in
:, juries, and no other person is believed
ny have been hurt. He gave his name q
'hl DR.. James Hodges. aged Il year,
me dyspepsia specialist, and bis resideDc
ent at No. 4 Central place. Others, however
lgs give different, but an undoubtedly Co
a@e rect version Of the affair. lady who 81
next to him and who narrowly escape
ar injury says that during the evening b
the made a number of significant remarl
md which pointed clearly to the purpose
not afterward attempted to carry out. Anon
mes the observations which the lady distinct
IGi. remembered was Patti is singing e.
NO, celIently to night, but she will never sir
mt any more" lie was also heard to mai
ers uncomplimentary and reyengeful all
red sions to J. @. Flood and his family wi
his were present in box.
ing At the Irving Hospital after his wount
Id had been dressed the chief of police q
,,o,, tempted to make him commit himself b
IA the effort was q complete failure. /
= IL stoutly maintained his innocence. ~
Ia5 chief of police pronounced him Gran
a,,I The bomb was made of can filled wi
n.h powder, in the centre of which was
bottle. The can was wrapped in piec
of cloths soaked in inhammable oil, al
hia' 1t is believed that the intention was n
ari4 only to kill Patti and those near Il
iiea stage, but also to set fire to the hnildin
that Tha hnn,l, vvae arranaed 10 explode
man a number of friction matches which VIC
zen connactad with n fuse inaertad i'm 1
ion. ,oy,5or Tha tbanry 10 that the q,
burned 70 dGiGkiy Tor the crank aud
nted explosion was premature, Though Pa
d his performed her rart IN the remainrFr
ID in the programme it was noticeable that
Ire occurrence had considerable effect nj
,ond her and subdued her usual vivacity.